Johns delivers game-winner as Lady Tigers split with Henderson State to open GSC schedule

M arch 6, 2010
ARKADELPHIA- Alexis Johns provided late-inning heroics for Ouachita Baptist in Game 1, providing the game-winning hit in the bottom of the seventh inning, defeating Henderson State, 2-1, in the opening game of the four-game series. The Lady Reddies came back to take Game 2 with a 4-0 win to split the opening Gulf South Conference series 1-1 on Saturday at Sully Anderson Field in Arkadelphia.

Ouachita (14-5) used a dominant complete game victory from junior Kristen Rigsbee (8-1), as the starter went seven innings and allowed just one earned run on four hits. Johns recorded the single over third base, as the score was tied 1-1 with one out in the final inning. The sophomore finished Game 1 at 1-for-2 with an RBI, while freshman Bailey Sanders recorded a 2-for-2 afternoon at the plate.

Game 1: Ouachita Baptist 2, Henderson State 1

The Lady Tigers started the scoring in the third inning, as freshman Megan Askew reached on a hit-by-pitch, later coming around to score after an error by the second baseman and sacrifice RBI from junior Sarah Bell to give Ouachita a 1-0 lead.

Henderson State tied the game in the fifth when Ashley Ray singled to open the inning, coming around to score on a double from Brittnie Dean.

Johns provided the dramatic hit in the seventh, scoring pinch runner Whitley Hoppe, after senior Korrine Cook reached on a single to right field.

Game 2: Henderson State 4, Ouachita Baptist 0

Henderson State shut down the Lady Tigers at the plate in Game 2, allowing only two hits from Ouachita Baptist, taking the 4-0 victory to even the series at 1-1.

Melissa Decker (2-2) earned the victory for the Lady Reddies, going seven innings, while striking out five. Henderson State opened the scoring in the second inning with a solo home run from Julia Schultz to take a 1-0 lead.

In the sixth inning, Henderson State scored three runs on three hits, including a two-run single from Miranda Vest to set the final score at 4-0.

Ouachita freshman Kayci Wilson (4-3) took the loss, going seven innings and allowing four earned runs on seven hits. The freshman also struck out eight batters and hit a pair of batters in the complete game outing. Senior Haley Chambers recorded a double for Ouachita in finishing 1-for-3 at the plate, while Johns recorded the only other hit, a single in the sixth inning.

Ouachita Baptist returns to finish the four-game series against Henderson State at Sully Anderson Field beginning at 1 p.m.